Buprenorphine Detox

Buprenorphine Used For Treatment Of Opiate Addiction Can Lead to Problems Of Its Own, Including Dependence And The Need For Additional Drug Treatment Services

Don't Go It Alone - Detoxing From Buprenorphine And Other Opiates Can Be Difficult, Painful

Many people know buprenorphine by its trademark names - Suboxone and Subutex. Buprenorphine is a long-acting opioid that is used in the treatment of addiction to opiates including morphine, heroin and OxyContin. This type of opiate replacement therapy allows for patients to switch their use of more powerful opiates that are said to have more abuse potential than buprenorphine.

Suboxone contains buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone. The buprenorphine helps reduce the symptoms of dependence and naloxone guards against misuse. Subutex contains only buprenorphine and is also used in the treatment of narcotic addiction.

Buprenorphine helps patients to avoid what can be an unpleasant experience with opiate withdrawal. It also keeps them from craving their drug of choice and anyone who has gone through opiate withdrawal can tell you - cravings can be completely overpowering.

Types Of Buprenorphine Detox

All prescription medications, including buprenorphine, should be taken only as directed. Trying to alter the medication for the purpose of abusing it can lead to serious problems and the need for detox.

Self Detox

Colloquially called "Cold Turkey"

Natural Remedies

Thomas

Other "natural detox methods"

Medical Detox

Outpatient

Inpatient

Treat the individual symptoms of the withdrawal

Rapid Opiate Detox

A "cold turkey" detox from buprenorphine is not advised, as it can be dangerous. Trying to wean from any prescription medication can be risky. This is why some type of medical oversight is recommended, whether through inpatient or outpatient treatment. Buprenorphine withdrawal can be painful and lead to symptoms that likely will include cravings, flu-like symptoms and severe agitation. Self detox using the "cold turkey" method can result in both physical and psychological opiate withdrawal.

Natural Self-Detox Remedies

Programs that are designed to "naturally" detox patients using supplements and other remedies can be dangerous as well. In addition, many are simply not effective. There are certain websites that tout "The Thomas Recipe" as being an effective and safe way to detox from opiates. Patients are encouraged to taper their use of opiates by taking a benzodiazepine drug such as Valium or Klonopin to ease some symptoms. These drugs have sedating effects. Imodium or other similar medication can help with gastrointestinal upset caused by withdrawal. Supplements are encouraged to help people restore an internal balance, and relaxation in a Jacuzzi is also recommended.

Kratom is another possibility for dealing with buprenorphine addiction. This is a plant from Southeast Asia that has been used historically for medicinal purposes. In terms of opiate detox, Kratom is used by some people to prevent or delay withdrawal. It is legal, but it is also unregulated and carries with it risks that include dependency, hallucinations, delusions, aggression and overdose.

Ibogaine is another option that some people turn to in order to get off opiates. It is banned in the United States but is used in some countries to treat opiate addiction. Ibogaine has psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties and can be found in a number of plants. The safety of Ibogaine is questionable and is often debated. Some believe it can interfere negatively with some medications and complicate some medical problems.

Medical Detox For Buprenorphine Includes Inpatient And Outpatient Treatment

Medical detox for opiates refers to any treatment that is performed in a facility that offers some level of medical services. Some are nothing more than crude clinics set up in strip malls to quickly detox patients and send them on their way. Others are very legitimate and offer safe, effective detox under the watchful eye of doctors and nurses.

Outpatient treatment for buprenorphine addiction may include the use of medications and other therapies that patients show up for daily.

Inpatient medical detox for buprenorphine addiction tries to treat the individual symptoms of withdrawal, such as nausea, body aches and agitation. This is typically viewed as a more thorough and safe approach, especially if detox is performed in a hospital and coupled with an aftercare program.

Rapid Opiate Detox Can Be A Viable Option For Those Who Are Suffering

Rapid opiate detoxification is another type of drug treatment that can offer a safe option if you choose the right program. This detox typically offers buprenorphine treatment in a short amount of time. If performed by a reputable company, rapid opiate detox will happen in the safety of a hospital, where medical staff is involved in each step. Intravenous medication is used to eliminate the addiction at the opiate receptor sites within the body.

Rapid detox can be performed in less than two hours and often requires a hospital stay of 2 to 5 days. Aftercare that lasts an additional 3 to 5 days is recommended to help patients make the transition to long-term wellness.

We are Known As Leader In The Field Of Rapid Opiate Detox

There are many companies that try to emulate the success of our program, but they often fall short of this goal. Our rapid detox program is based in southern California and provides safe treatment under sedation in an accredited Long Beach hospital. Patients check in and receive thorough medical tests to check for underlying or contributing medical conditions.

The detox speeds up withdrawal, which develops and passes for most patients while they are under deep sedation. This allows them to comfortably focus on long-term wellness. Our rapid detox program has treated thousands of patients from around the world and has perfected its treatment over more than a decade. Most of them have accomplished sustained recovery and reclaimed their lives to the fullest extent.

Buprenorphine Detox Comparisons

Some other companies:

Perform rapid detox in an outpatient facility

Send patients home or to a hotel to recover

Cut corners with safety

Fail to adequately monitor patients during a critical recovery phase

Our rapid detox program ALWAYS:

Surrounds patients with caring medical staff, from check in to check out

Allows them to recover fully in the hospital

Makes every effort to ensure the safest possible detox

Monitors patients at every step

Buprenorphine Home Detoxification: Possible Risks

Detoxing alonefrom buprenorphine can be detrimental if complications arise. Buprenorphine withdrawal can be tricky and painful, and often sends people toward relapse. Professional detox can provide added measures of safety and offers much better rates in terms of long-term recovery.

The truth is, many addicts neglect their health during addiction. There may be a host of underlying medical conditions, which need to be addressed. An unsupervised detox can complicate these conditions. Co-occurring disorders that develop as a result of addiction are often overlooked from lack of adequate health care.

Buprenorphine Detox Possible Complications

Self Detox Possible Complications: Self Detox from buprenorphine is not wise because of withdrawal. Depending on the degree and length of addiction, patients going through unsupervised detox can suffer from severe cravings, hallucinations and seizures.

Outpatient Detox Possible Complications: Outpatient detox does not typically offer the supervision that is so important during buprenorphine detox.

Inpatient Detox Possible Complications: Despite the best efforts, complications can still arise during detox in a facility. Patients can minimize their risk for this by choosing a reputable company that employs professional medical personnel and uses safe practices.

Rapid Detox Possible Complications: Patients who've gone through rapid detox should be medically stabilized after the procedure and watched closely during recovery. Complications can arise from the anesthesia, including allergic reaction and infection.

Buprenorphine Detox Myths

Self Detox Myths: Contrary to what you may hear, self detox may not be a safe option. Short cuts will not produce a favorable outcome. Many websites that tout this method don't mention that many people suffer opiate relapse. This provides additional risk because tolerance drops after detox and relapse can lead to overdose.

Outpatient Detox Myths: A detox program that simply addresses one aspect of buprenorphine addiction sets patients up to fail. Therapy or 12-step meetings alone won't solve the problem. Likewise, physical detox by itself is not enough for long-term abstinence.

Inpatient Detox Myths: Many people believe that this type of treatment has to be expensive, long-term and painful. There are options that provide timely, safe and comfortable detox that won't bankrupt you.

Rapid Detox Myths: Some people think this type of detox is a "short cut" that couldn't possibly facilitate long-term healing. Reputable companies give patients all the attention, oversight and expertise they can to make this happen.

Buprenorphine Detox For The Pregnant Woman

At this time, the only approved method of treatment for pregnant women is methadone. Self detox during pregnancy is strongly discouraged because of dangers to mother and fetus. Both will experience withdrawal symptoms. Pregnant women can get methadone on an outpatient basis but can benefit from inpatient treatment that offers medical care and addresses the psychological aspect of addiction. Regular access to medical care is the most important thing for women carrying a baby during opiate treatment.

Buprenorphine Detox Symptoms

If you have become dependent physically or psychologically upon buprenorphine, you may experience some or all of these symptoms during withdrawal:

Vomiting

Nausea

Stomach Cramps

Diarrhea

Goose Bumps

Tremors and Twitching

Dilated Pupils

Muscle and Bone Pain

Yawning

Sweating

Runny Nose

Anxiety

Agitation

Insomnia

Detoxing from buprenorphine is an individual experience for many people. For some, it begins within hours of last use. And the length of withdrawal will vary among patients. This type of buprenorphine withdrawal can elicit a wide array of symptoms. Depending on which treatment you choose, withdrawal can be controlled through the administration of medication and other therapies.

Physical withdrawal can be brought under control rather quickly with most treatment programs. The psychological opiate withdrawal is another matter. Unless this is addressed, beginning shortly after detox, the psychological symptoms can linger and compound. Choosing the buprenorphine treatment program that is right for you is very important - possibly one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It could mean the difference between long-term recovery and treatment that ends in disappointment, and worse, opiate relapse.

Buprenorphine withdrawal can last days or weeks and depends on factors that include the length and severity of the addiction, overall physical condition and biochemistry. More severe symptoms can include hallucinations and seizures.

So What Is The Best Option For Buprenorphine Detox?

This is a decision best made with all available information. Check out different programs online, and look for referrals and comments from former patients. Ask questions and really think about what's in your best interest. Are you short on time and want a fast outcome that is safe and effective? Do you want to be treated at an outpatient facility or in the safety and comfort of an inpatient program? These are things that must be considered.

The answer, you will find, depends on factors that include your own specific needs and wants, your past medical and drug treatment history and your current medical situation. You deserve to have the best buprenorphine detox possible. And the programs that don't offer cookie-cutter treatment should be at the top of your list. You are an individual and your situation needs to be addressed in this manner.

You don't need to be alone during this decision-making process. We fully expect that you have questions that need to be answered. We are here to help walk you through your options. For more information, just pick up the phone and call us.